Bra Essentials

ABSTRACT

A decorative cover for concealing an exposed brassiere strap. The cover comprises a fashionable outer region and an inner region with attachment means to connect to and mask an underlying brassiere strap. Certain female garments do not cover the upper chest or shoulder region of the body, including tube tops, halter tops and single shoulder tops. Use of a conventional brassiere exposes one or a plurality of straps, which is considered unfashionable or unsophisticated. A decorative cover that snaps or otherwise connects to the exposed straps allows a user the ability to wear a traditional-style brassiere with open-shoulder clothing without revealing the underlying straps. The covers can be coordinated with the overall outfit, suiting different fashion styles or garnished with decorative accessories.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/329,584 filed on Apr. 30, 2010, entitled “Bra Essentials”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to decorative covers for exposed brassierestraps that provide a fashionable means for wearing a traditionalbrassiere with open-shoulder garments, as well as an alternative towearing a strapless brassiere.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Traditional-style brassieres, herein referred to simply as “bras”,utilize a plurality of straps over the wearer's shoulders for lift andsupport. These bras are very effective and popular, but certain garmentsleave elements of the bra exposed. In particular, shorter tops andshoulderless blouses that highlight the shoulder or upper chest regionof the wearer expose any underlying bra strap. While the function of thebra strap is unhindered by its exposure, its display is consideredunfashionable, and in some situations even inappropriate. Use ofstrapless bras has been suggested, but these bra types are typicallyunsupportive by comparison, as well as uncomfortable and prone to comingloose. A solution to this problem is required, one that allows a wearerthe ability to wear a shoulderless garment without exposing herundergarments or wearing a strapless bra.

Several patents in the art have suggested interchangeable straps andthose that replace an existing bra strap with one that closely matches awearer's outfit. U.S. Pat. No. 7,396,273 to Styles-Garviria and U.S.Pat. No. 6,517,409 to Flaherty describe such devices. The original brastrap is replaced with a more fashionable version, or one that lendsitself to concealing its true purpose of supporting an underlyingundergarment. While this may reduce the visual signature of anundergarment strap, or make its appearance less obvious to observers, itrequires a bra with removable straps or specific connections toimplement. Each end of the strap engages a hoop structure and replacesthe existing bra strap. No means are disclosed for attaching to anexisting strap.

Another solution suggested in the art includes U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,906to May, wherein a bra strap cover is disclosed that optionally replacesor conceals an exposed strap. While this patent does not require awearer to replace her original bra strap with a new one, the coverconnects to the bra only at each end of the strap in a similar fashionas those patents to Styles-Garviria and Flaherty. Specific hookconnectors are required on the bra to join the cover and the body of thebra. This connection provides only two locations to secure the coverover the bra strap, and is prone to allowing the underlying strap topeak out or slide from under the cover. A new type of cover is needed,one in which the strap and cover elements are joined sufficiently to fixtheir motion together through the course of wearing the cover. This mayinclude several connection points along the length of the underlyingstrap, or a continuous bonding that prevents strap peaking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofbra strap covers now present in the prior art, the present inventionprovides a new bra strap cover wherein the same can be utilized forproviding convenience for the user when concealing an exposedundergarment strap.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide adecorative and functional bra strap cover effectively concealing anunderlying bra strap.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bra strap coverthat does not alter the underlying undergarment structure, and providessecure means for attaching the cover at several locations along the brastrap length.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fashionablealternative to exposing a wearer's bra straps or requiring a straplessbra with low cut or shoulderless tops, and one that can be decorated inany fashionable or coordinated fashion.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a traditional style bra with a brastrap cover being applied to each strap.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosedinvention that includes a decorative cover over an exposed bra strap.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of yet another embodiment of thedisclosed invention that includes a decorative cover over an exposed brastrap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of atraditional style bra 11 and two bra strap cover devices 12. The covers12 attach to the straps 13 of the bra 11 using a plurality of clips 15along their lower surface. The straps 13 are unaltered by the additionof the cover 14 and are concealed from view. The outer surface of thecovers 14 may take the form of any ornamental or decorative stylepreferable to the user.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the bracover device 14 in its working position in conjunction with ashoulder-revealing garment 16. A bra strap 13 that is otherwise exposedto third party view is concealed by the cover 14, which is attached tothe bra using a plurality of clips 15. This view shows a particularembodiment of the cover 14 in which the outer surface is a decorativeruffle pattern that suits the outfit of a user while still concealingthe underlying bra 11.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of the bracover device 14 in its working position in conjunction with ashoulder-revealing garment 16. Similar to FIG. 2, the bra cover 14conceals and underlying bra strap 13 that would otherwise be visible toa third party with a shoulder-revealing garment 16. This view showsanother possible embodiment of the cover device 14, in which the outersurface comprises a decorative bow that conceals the cover's truenature. The cover 14 appears less like a deliberate attempt to cover anunderlying bra strap 13, and more like a fashion accessory that onewould choose to wear normally.

In use an individual applies the bra covers to exposed bra straps whenchoosing to wear a traditional style bra with a shoulder or upper chestrevealing garment. The covers act as a visual barrier between the strapand a third party. They provide the user with the ability to wearsupportive undergarments with a more revealing top, such as aone-shoulder blouse or halter top. The use of strapless bras is notrequired, which provides the wearer with the comfort and support for atraditional style bra, with the freedom of choosing to wear severaldifferent style tops.

The outer surface of the covers may take the form of any fashionableappearance preferable to the user. The appearance can be permanentlydesigned into the cover itself, or the outer surface of the cover mayincorporate hook and loop fasteners to attach different fashionablestyles over the cover. This provides the wearer with a modular coverthat can conform to a number of different fashions or patterns, whileproviding utility for the wearer in the form of a bra strap concealmentmeans. This modularity prevents the wearer from purchasing severalcovers to accommodate several different style shirts. A series ofexternal, fashionable accessories may be attached to update the look andappearance of the cover to suit different outfits. These accessories mayinclude different colors or styles, or they may include ornamentalfeatures such as bows, ribbons, rhinestones or other fashionableaccessories or accents.

The connection between the cover and the underlying bra strap may takeseveral forms, including snaps, clips, hook and loop fasteners, or anysuitable attachment means known to one skilled in the art. The cover isconnected in a plurality of locations along the length of each bra strapto prevent the bra from peaking out and revealing itself from beneaththe cover. This provides a secure attachment for the user, and providesher confidence during the course of wearing the cover and the garment.The outer surface may be of any material desirable to the wearer forfashion or utilitarian purposes. The cover itself may be made of anydesirable material to allow conformity with the body of the wearer. Thismay include cotton, nylon, spandex or other similar material.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1) A decorative cover for an undergarment strap for concealing saidundergarment strap from a third party, comprising: an elongated coverwith an upper and lower surface and an undergarment strap; said lowersurface attachably mates with said undergarment strap at a plurality oflocations; said upper surface is visually coordinated with an outfit ofa wearer. 2) A decorative cover as in claim 1, wherein said lowersurface attachment means comprise hook and loop fasteners. 3) Adecorative cover as in claim 1, wherein said lower surface attachmentmeans comprise a plurality of clips that engage said undergarment strap.4) A decorative cover for an undergarment strap for concealing saidundergarment strap from a third party, comprising: an elongated coverwith an upper and lower surface and an undergarment strap; said lowersurface attachably mates with said undergarment strap at a plurality oflocations; attachment means along said upper surface mate with anexternal fashion accessory to visually coordinate said cover with anoutfit of a wearer. 5) A decorative cover as in claim 4, wherein saidlower surface and upper surface attachment means comprise hook and loopfasteners. 6) A decorative cover as in claim 4, wherein said lowersurface and upper surface attachment means comprise a plurality of clipsthat engage said undergarment strap.